Ailing sea lions overwhelm groups

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Laguna Beach Over the weekend 11 critically ill sea lions had rescuers from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center racing to the coastline from San Clemente to Huntington Beach.

With more than 130 animals in intensive care units, and others triaged on the beach, the Laguna Beach-based center is at capacity and in need of help. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called for assistance, naming the mass stranding between Mexico and Santa Barbara an “unusual mortality event.”

Marine experts at the federal agency that overseas marine wildlife are looking for causes by studying organs of sea lions who have died. Meanwhile, Orange County animal rescue groups have stepped in to help the overwhelmed center.

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